Friday, January 25, 2013

Awards 2012 - Chamber

Beethoven: String trios, op.9
Frank Peter Zimmermann; Antoine Tamestit; Christian Poltéra
BIS

"The five String Trios Beethoven completed in the 1790s were stepping-stones on his path to becoming one of the great composers of string quartets. But they're much more than just apprentice pieces: they are fully accomplished and strikingly beautiful works in their own right... Heard in full surround-sound, this CD gives the impression that the players are actually in the room with you. The playing itself is dazzling, combining expressive warmth and admirable clarity" - Misha Donat, BBC Music Magazine.
Displaying impeccable teamwork the players give these splendid Beethoven scores with a spring in the step and a sparkle in the eye yet they also draw deep to achieve a remarkable gravitas to set alongside an abundance of spirit in these assured and tasteful performances. This marvellous BIS disc was a delight from start to finish and ranks alongside the renowned recording from the Grumiaux Trio." - Michael Cookson, MusicWeb International. 

Runners-up:
Sarasate: Music for violin and piano, volume 3. Tianwa Yang; Markus Hadulla [Naxos]
Bartók: Violin sonatas; Rhapsodies. James Ehnes; Andrew Armstrong [Chandos]
Shostakovich: String quartets nos.5-8; Miaskovsky: String quartet no.13. Pacifica Quartet [Cedille]
Ravel: Music for violin and piano; Lekeu: Violin sonata. Alina Ibragmiova; Cédric Tiberghien [Hyperion]

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